Thinking about pursuing an Executive MBA and wondering if HEC Paris is the right fit? As one of Europe’s leading business schools, HEC Paris offers a transformative program combining academic excellence and real-world application. The top-ranked EMBA equips professionals with essential leadership, strategic management, and networking skills.
Are you considering pursuing an Executive MBA and wondering if HEC Paris, France, is the right fit? As one of Europe’s leading business schools, HEC Paris offers a transformative program combining academic excellence and real-world application. The top-ranked EMBA equips professionals with essential leadership, advanced strategic management, and powerful networking skills. Graduates are equipped to navigate complex business landscapes, stay ahead of industry trends, and drive impactful change on a global scale.
Valentina Kuhlen, a 2024 graduate of HEC Paris, found her path with the school’s transformative EMBA program. During her EMBA, Valentina formed a clear vision of what she could achieve and where she wanted to go. (1:30)
The program gave her the clarity, skills, confidence, and network to redefine her career goals and chart a path toward meaningful impact. If you’re seeking an EMBA that offers direction and opportunity, HEC Paris could be the ideal place to start your journey.
Valentina Kuhlen had a clear goal when she enrolled in the EMBA program at HEC Paris. With an academic background in IT and computer science and work experience in the banking sector, Valentina wanted to complement her technical expertise by developing leadership and management skills.
She explains, “Initially, my goal was to complement my professional experience with leadership and management qualifications. I wanted to avoid the costly mistakes that can occur mid-career and also learn from the best while building a network with like-minded professionals…. I regained the confidence that I had in my younger years, and [the EMBA] shaped my outlook and ambitions. In the end, the EMBA delivered everything that I wanted and even more.” (1:00)
HEC Paris provided the perfect career launchpad for Valentina, offering her access to a rigorous academic curriculum, hands-on experience, and a vibrant global network. Working as Global Senior Relationship Manager at Arab Banking Corporation (Bank ABC), Valentina notes that the tools she gained from her EMBA have helped her to “enhance competitiveness and attract clients” in her current job. (10:56)
The personalized learning environment and leadership training empowered her career growth and continue to help her propel her career forward every day.
One of the defining features of HEC Paris is its unique blend of academic rigor and real-world application. Valentina Kuhlen reflects on this, noting that the EMBA program has a “strong mix of academic excellence and also practical relevance and high-caliber individuals. The courses were not only academically solid but also closely aligned with current market trends and real-world business scenarios.” (2:00)
Valentina says that her Business Environment course stood out for precisely that reason. In the classroom, they were analyzing and applying concepts about AI directly as ChatGPT was making its breakthrough. She highlights, “It was incredibly timely and insightful.” (02:46)
This balance allows students to gain a deep theoretical understanding and apply their knowledge in tangible, impactful ways. HEC Paris stands out for its ability to seamlessly integrate rigorous academic theory with hands-on experiences. This ensures that students are prepared to tackle real-world business challenges after graduation.
Beyond the academic experience, HEC Paris fosters a sense of community integral to its identity. With diverse students representing over 50 nationalities and a wide range of professional backgrounds, the program offers more than just exposure to global perspectives. Through structured tools like the Culture Map and immersive exercises, students learn practical methods to navigate complex cultural dynamics. They also learn to approach emotionally nuanced negotiations with confidence and insight, gaining invaluable skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
Students gain a lifelong community and network from HEC Paris’ inclusivity inside and outside the classroom.
Valentina’s experience with the Executive MBA at HEC Paris provided actionable, real-world insights and a robust foundation in high-level leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication. Equipped with global tools tailored for navigating multinational environments, participants develop 360-degree skills to lead with impact and precision across complex, diverse organizations.
“This [Executive] MBA program was instrumental and helped me to transition from [an] analytical mindset to a more situational or strategic approach,” Valentina says. (5:54)
Several courses continue to influence her daily work. Valentina described the Leadership Course at HEC Paris as particularly transformative. The course helped her navigate paradoxes to achieve win-win outcomes. In the Business Environment course, she also gained a deeper understanding of how to interpret the interdependence of politics and economics in relation to globalization and other trends. In the marketing course, she learned how to successfully combine business with crafting a compelling narrative. In the strategy course, she learned about various business models she now regularly consults. The approach to inventing or reinventing a business model by balancing the value proposition and profit equation has been invaluable.
With various specializations available in the EMBA, HEC Paris offers a highly customizable learning experience. Students can customize the program through optional electives, specializations, multiple study abroad options, and a capstone project. This ensures students can select the best opportunities to meet their career advancement goals.
The quality of the EMBA program at HEC Paris is reflected in its program and its high rankings. The Financial Times ranked it #18 globally in 2024, and QS ranked it an impressive #3 globally.
Completing an MBA can be challenging, with a demanding workload. However, at HEC Paris, the academic rigor is balanced by a strong sense of community and support.
Valentina described her time at HEC Paris as an “incredible experience.” (3:46)
Her cohort had plenty of opportunities outside the classroom to network and build meaningful friendships through group activities such as cultural and sporting events, wine tastings, and networking sessions. These activities helped to foster lasting relationships that extended beyond the classroom.
She confirms, “It really ignited my energy again.” (04:23)
The team spirit persisted long after graduation. For example, Valentina and some classmates completed an Ironman 70.3 triathlon shortly after graduation. The encouragement and support motivated her to dare to do something new and challenge herself. She wears her Ironman bracelet as a powerful symbol of resilience, self-belief, and the strength derived from dedicated preparation. It constantly reminds her of the determination and spirit that drive her forward. (04:29)
The network built during the EMBA continues to provide support, encouragement, and professional opportunities after the program’s completion.
Studying in Paris combines top-tier education with a vibrant, culturally rich environment in one of the world’s most iconic cities. Paris offers access to global business networks, making it ideal for MBA students seeking career opportunities.
The city’s international community provides a dynamic atmosphere for personal and professional growth. From museums to entrepreneurial events, Paris offers students endless inspiration and the chance to thrive in a global setting.
Valentina is now among the 80,000 alumni in France and worldwide whose careers and global perspectives have been transformed at HEC Paris.
Does Valentina’s journey inspire you? Connect with HEC Paris to gain further insights into their programs. Additionally, read our tips for navigating the admissions process at HEC Paris.
